Village of Leetonia

The village of Leetonia is located in northeast Columbiana County, and was founded shortly after the Civil War in 1869. Named after William Lee from New York, Lee was one of the founders of the Leetonia Iron and Coal Company built before the village was incorporated in 1866.

Due to the massive presence of the coal company, large remnants of the industry remain and have been turned into historical landmarks. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, the Cherry Valley Coke Ovens are one of the largest intact beehive coke ovens in North America. Located along the eastern edge of the Coke Ovens is the Little Beaver Creek Greenway Trail, which is an extensive bike route linking Lisbon to the village of Washingtonville. The Greenway Trail will eventually link with trails in Mahoning County and points northward extending to Lake Erie.

 There is still a presence of manufacturing in Leetonia. Norfolk-Southern runs an east and west route through town, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ tire machinery division operates in a plant in the village’s eastern limits. The village is investing in its future with plans to spruce up downtown and add new retail establishments, and a brand new library opened in 2009. Leetonia can look to capitalize on its location in Columbiana County and its access to major interstates and metropolitan areas.